Trussed structure



March 1965 c. E. HARTFORD ETAL 3,175,559

'IRUS SED S TRUC TURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 2, 1962 INVENTOR.CIIAEMS .6. HARTFORD BY Roux) J h/OHLRQRT ATTORNEYS March 30, 1965 FiledAug. '2, 1962 C. E. HARTFORD ETAL TRUSSED STRUCTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR-S' CHARLES E. HARTFORD RONALD .I WOHLFORT States This inventionrelates to trussed supports and, more particularly, to an improvedstructure which provides for compact folding of a prefabricatedextensible load supporting truss.

A need has long existed for many types of high strength supportstructure having a high degree of mobility or portability. Heretofore,such features have been exceedingly diiiicult if not impossible toachieve because the provision of suficient strength has resulted inheavy structures which are lacking in mobility, and provision of astructure having a high degree of mobility or portability has resultedin a structure which lacks adequate strength.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide animproved structure for obviating the abovementioned difiiculties.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a fully fabricatedextensible high-strength load supporting truss structure that isfoldable into a compact unit for storage or portage purposes.

Another object is in the provision of a light weight foldable trusscdsupport structure which is capable of being erected in a very short timewith a minimum of manpower, erection tools or other facilities.

Still another object is in the provision of an improved truss structurewhich can be fully fabricated in a factory and produced with relativelysimple and inexpensive tooling.

A further object is in the provision of a fully fabricated modularextensible light weight truss structure which is easily portable andwhich, when erected, provides a strong and sturdy load supportingstructure.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in theart from a consideration of the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a foldable trussed structure inaccordance with the invention, this view illustrating the extendedposition and including two and a half bays of the structure, theremainder being broken y;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view illustrating the way in which the variousmembers (broken) are connected in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial diagrammatic view of left side of FIGURE 1,illustrating the manner of folding the trussed structure;

FIGURE 4 is a view illustrating an alternative modification of a bracingand locking member;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view showing portions of the FIGURE 1embodiment, partially folded; and

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the details of a junction pointper FIGURE 2 in their relationships to three truss sections and two setsof spannners, each comprising two paris of spanners;

FIGURE 7 is a diagrammatic showing of five truss sections in partiallycollapsed conditions; and

FIGURE 8 is a perspective review of the junction point when the elementsof FXGURE 2 are assembled.

Throughout the drawings, like numerals designate like parts and, whilethe various features of the invention are hereinafter illustrated anddescribed as preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchembodiments are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting, sincevarious changes and modifications can be made Without departing from theinvention.

The concept of the present invention is applicable to a wide variety oftrussed supports of either a portable or permanent type and whichinclude but are not necessarily limited to bridges, floors, roofs,towers, scaffolds, beams, posts. For purposes of illustration and not oflimitation, the invention will be described herein in connection with amicrowave reflector or antenna structure, which is an embodimentparticularly illustrative of a type of use wherein both a high degree ofstrength and mobility or portabilityare required.

Tactical military equipment requirements include a high degree ofmobility as well as operation in extremely remote areas. Hence, it isextremely desirable that all components of such equipment should bereadily transported, quickly and easily erected for operation, and becollapsible or compressible into compact units for rapid movement fromone tactical location to another. For example, the mobility of highpower radar units has heretofore remained a limiting factor largely dueto the cumbersome nature of the antenna structure. The con cept of thepresent invention employs modular mechanical support construction toprovide the required strength in light weight folding sections which arecombined to form large special shaped structures which can be erected ordisassembled very quickly, in some instances by a single Workman. Thefolding sections compress into a compact package which is easilyhandled, and a relatively large section of compressed structure inaccordance with the invention can be carried by four men.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates a portion of amicrowave reflector or antenna structure in the extended or erect state.The structure comprises a plurality of spaced truss sections three ofwhich are shown and designated 1, 1A, 1B. Trusses 1, etc. may beconstructed of any suitable material, and, in the interest of lightweight and portability without undue sacrifice of strength, it may bedesirable to utilize hollow tubular members in the construction of thetrusses. When set up, the several truss sections are disposed in spacedparallel planes. Each of the truss sections comprises upper and lowerhorizontal chord members 2 and 3, respectively, vertical members 4, 5, 6and diagonally upwardly extending members 7, 8, 9, and 19. Each of thetruss sections is hingedly connected to two spanner sections eachcomprising end members such as 11, 12 connected together by a diagonalbrace 13. In certain instances the spanner section comprises end members11', 12' and a diagonal brace 13' which extends in the opposite diagonaldirection, so that a spanner section employing members designated withprimes is in a sense a mirror image of the other sections.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the upper horizontal chord member 2 of thefirst truss section 1 is hingedly connected to a spanner (ll, 12, 13)which in turn hingedly connected to the upper chord member 2 of thesecond truss section 1A, whereas the upper chord member of the secondtruss section 1A is hingedly connected to a spanner (ll', l2, 13) whichis in turn hingedly connected to the upper chord member 21B, of thethird truss section so that the diagonal bracing 13 or 13' is oppositelydisposed between adjacent pairs of spanners.

Similarly, the lower chord member 3 of the first truss section 1 ishingedly connected to a spanner (11 l2, 13') which is in turn hingedlyconnected to the lower chord member 3 of the second truss section 1A.Again, the diagonal bracing 13 or 13 is oppositely disposed in the upperand lower spanners between adjacent truss sections. The lower chordmember 3 of the second truss section 1A is hingedly connected to aspanner (11 l In) l3) which is in turn hingedly connected to the lowerchord member 3 of the third truss section 1B.

In the foregoing material, the spanner sections have been described asmirror images in order to illustrate how the oppositely disposeddiagonal members 13, 13' are utilized to brace the various spanners. Asa practical matter and considering function only, each of the spannersis structurally identical to all other spanners, and each of the spacedtruss sections is structurally identical to all other truss sections.This not only facilitates the construction, but it also effectssubstantial savings in materials, assembly, and labor. In addition,fabrication and erection are accomplished through the use of only simpletools, and only one set of fixtures is required for the fabrication ofthe truss section and only one additional set of fixtures is requiredfor the fabrication of the spanners.

As noted heretofore and as illustrated in the drawings, the varioustruss sections are parallel to each other; like wise, the spannersconnecting any two adjacent truss sections are parallel to each other,each pair of adjacent truss sections and their associated upper andlower spanners at all times forming a parallelepiped (in section),irrespective of whether the assembly is fully extended or folded. Ofcourse, each truss section is per se rigid, and each spanner is per serigid.

The expression hingedly connected is now further discussed. Letattention be directed to the first, second, and third truss sections 1,1A, 1B, respectively, specifically the left end thereof as illustratedin FIG. 1. The two elements 4 of the first and second truss sections andthe elements 11 and 11 of the upper and lower spanners between the firstand second truss sections are substantially coplanar and articulated inthe manner of a pantograph, being foldable in such a way that theelements 11 and 11 are always parallel and the elements 4-4 are alwaysparallel, the hinged connections (see FIGURE 8) providing for turning ofthe various elements effectively about horizontal axes. Similarly, theelements 44 of the second and third truss sections and the elements 11'and 11 of the upper and lower spanners between the second and thirdtruss sections are coplanar and foldable as a pantograph, and arelikewise provided with appropriate pivotal or hinged connectionsdirected to such folding capability. The element 4- of the section trusssection 1 A is common to the two pantographs just described. As will beseen from an inspection of FIGURE 7, each element 4 with the exceptionof those on the ends of the structure is common to two pantographs.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided which perform thedual function of providing cross bracing for the parallelepiped sectionsand for locking the structure in extended or folded position. This isaccomplished by the provision of a locking rod 14 having an upper endportion adapted to be pivotally connected to member 2 (FIGURES 2 and 8),and a lower end consisting of a pivotally secured transverse sleeve.This sleeve is adapted to be positioned in translation horizontallyslidingly to engage lower spanner member 11, as is best illustrated inFIGURE 3. For example, as is illustrated in FIGURE 2, rod 14 mayterminate in a pivotally secured or ball-joint secured sleeve 15 havingan internal diameter sufliciently large to receive member 11 in slidingengagement. A set screw 16 is provided for locking rod 14 in any desiredpositions relative to member 11. Member 14' is similar to member 14 inthat it is pivotally connected at its upper end to member 2 and disposedso that vertical truss member 4 is slidably received and positioned intranslation vertically in sleeve 15'. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, thelower end portion of member 14 (i.e., transverse sleeve 15) is slidablydisposed relative to member 11, and the corresponding lower end portionof member 14' (i.e., transverse sleeve 15') is slidably disposedrelative to member 4; but it will be understood that either or both suchconnections can be made without departing from the invention.

An alternative embodiment of locking rod is illustrated in FIGURE 4. inaccordance with this embodiment, either member 14 or 14' may be replacedby a telescopically extensible link 17, 18 having one end portionadapted to be pivotally connected to a truss section member 2 and havingits opposite end connected to an opposed member such as 3, for example.A locking means, such as set screw 19, is provided for locking members17 and 13 in any desired relative disposition.

In the practice of the invention, truss sections 1 may be fullyfabricated in a factory in accordance with known manufacturing methodsand procedures. It is to be understood that, while a particular type oftruss section configuration has been illustrated in the drawings, theinvention is not so limited, and any desired type of truss configurationmay be employed. Similarly, the spanners may be fully fabricated, ifdesired, in the factory.

Upon completion of the fabrication of diagonal locking members 14, 14',or the alternative embodiment comprising telescoping members 17, 18, thevarious truss sections l and the spanners are assembled and connectedtogether in the manner indicated above. It will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that through the proper choice of appropriate lengthof diagonal locking members l4, M, or telescoping members 1'7, 18, orthrough the use of any well-known type of stop to limit the foldingaction, the upper chord members 2 of each of the trusses will be causedto lie, in extended position, either in a single plane, or to bedisposed along any desired type of curved surface such as, for example,a parabola. Of course, the foregoing discussion in reference to thedisposition of chord members 2 is equally applicable to chord members 3.

After the various truss members 1 and connecting spanners and'lockingrods have been connected together in the manner indicated above, theentire structure is folded in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 3, 5 and7. When completely folded, the trussed structure compresses to arelatively small package which is easily carried with a minimum ofmanpower. When it is desired to erect the trussed structure, it issimply extended by any convenient means, either manually or by means ofa hydraulic cylinder or jack, to extended position, and the locking rodsor links are locked by locking means 16, 16', or 19, as the case may be.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a missed type ofstructure having a high degree of strength which is easily portable andcan be quickly erected for use.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from theinvention, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications that fall Within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible load-bearing structure for supporting an antenna,comprising, in combination:

at least three vertically extending frame-like rigid truss sectionswhich are normally disposed in spaced parallel planes, each sectioncomprising at least upper and lower horizontal members rigidly inter--connected by vertical members;

a plurality of means between each pair of adjacent truss sections formaintaining the sections in parallelism and for collapsing the structureinto more closely spaced parallel planes, said means comprising:

a first pair of spanners normal to and hingedly con nected to the upperhorizontal members of said adjacent truss sections,

and a second pair of spanners normal to and hingedly connected to thelower horizontal members of said adjacent truss sections,

5 6 whereby each subcombination of adjacent truss secand a set screwprojecting through said sleeve and tions and the spanners therebetweendefines a boxbearing against said spanner or truss member to lock likeconfiguration when fully extended and comsaid sleeve in position, prisesa unitary but normally non-rigid pantograp'nthe pivotal connectionbetween each brace member like collapsible structure; 5 and transversesleeve comprising a ball and socket and locking means for rigidifyingsaid structure when j int,

fully extended, said locking means comprising at least one pair ofdiagonal brace members, both mem- References Cited by the Examiner bersof said pair being hingedly connected at one UNITED STATES PATENTS endto a common horlzontal member of a truss 10 section intermediate twoother truss sections, one of 1,471,223 10/23 Tqmlmson said brace membersbeing slidably locked at its other 2,693,195 11/ 54 Frledel' et end to aspanner and the other of said brace mem- 2,917,129 12/ 59 Grover t bersbeing slidably locked at its other end to a 11,586 12/61 Harvey 189l2 Xvertical truss member. 15 3,062,340 11/62 I-Iunnebeck 5 05 6 2. Thecombination in accordance with claim 1 in which the means for slidablylocking each of said brace FOREIGN PATENTS members comprises: 9413366/36 Italya transverse sleeve pivotally connected to said other end andhaving an internal diameter suflicient to 20 RICHARD COOKE PnmaryExamme" receive its associated spanner or truss member in HENRY C.SUTHERLAND, JACOB I. NACKENOFF, sliding engagement, Examiners.

1. A COLLAPSIBLE LOAD-BEARING STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING AN ANTENNA,COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: AT LEAST THREE VERTICALLY EXTENDINGFRAME-LIKE RIGID TRUSS SECTIONS WHICH ARE NORMALLY DISPOSED IN SPACEDPARALLEL PLANES, EACH SECTION COMPRISING AT LEAST UPPER AND LOWERHORIZONTAL MEMBERS RIGIDLY INTERCONNECTED BY VERTICAL MEMBERS; APLURALITY OF MEANS BETWEEN EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT TRUSS SECTIONS FORMAINTAINING THE SECTIONS IN PARALLELISM AND FOR COLLAPSING THE STRUCTUREINTO MORE CLOSELY SPACED PARALLEL PLANES, SAID MEANS COMPRISING: A FIRSTPAIR OF SPANNERS NORMAL TO AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE UPPERHOPRIZONTAL MEMBERS OF SAID ADJACNET TRUSS SECTIONS, AND A SECOND PAIROF SPANNERS NORMAL TO AND HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO THE LOWER HORIZONTALMEMBERS OF SAID ADJACENT TRUSS SECTIONS, WHEREBY EACH SUBCOMBINATION OFADJACENT TRUSS SECTIONS AND THE SPANNERS THEREBETWEEN DEFINES A BOXLIKECONFIGURATION WHEN FULLY EXTENDED AND COMPRISES A UNITARY BUT NORMALLYNON-RIGID PANTOGRAPHLIKE COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE; AND LOCKING MEANS FORRIGIDIFYING SAID STRUCTURE WHEN